20 Major Life Lessons All Women Have To Learn The HARD Way

They say time brings wisdom (or at least it should). But how great would it be to get a heads-up earlier in life that, perhaps, stressing over a passive-aggressive roommate is a waste of time, and pining over that unreliable-but-totally-sexy dude is a guaranteed path to heartache?

Today, we're sharing 20 life lessons we all seem to learn the hard way (still, we're so glad we finally got it).

1. Your beauty is innate and will never shrink as a result of someone else not noticing or acknowledging it.

The idea that someone else can ultimately decide how attractive you are as a person and determine the beauty of your soul is not only false, but sure to do some major damage in the long run. Attraction is arbitrary and people will project and reject you for reasons that have nothing at all to do with you.

2. You're truly powerful.

Though it will feel like the world is caving in on you several times throughout your life, you're not about to crumble. The truth is that you have a surplus of strength that makes it absolutely impossible for you not to survive.

3. You're in full and total control as to what you will tolerate.

You can draw a boundary and walk away any time you want to. It may not be easy — it may be tricky and scary and you may have no idea what you're doing or where you're going — but make no mistake: you can go.

4. Friendship is so much more than group texts, meeting for happy hour, and summer trips to the beach.

Yes, those things are fun, but it's absolutely vital that you find a tribe you can trust, count on and enjoy life with.

5. If it's not challenging, you're not growing.

An easy life is one that doesn't push you, make you think or assist you in building the skills you need to succeed and the confidence that will carry you through life with courage and security. If you are never brought to your knees, you'll never know how amazing it feels to get back up and win the round.

6. Your life is yours to curate and celebrate.

If you're enjoying the life you're living and feel good about who you are, what does it matter what anyone else thinks?

7. If someone is worth it, they will go in the trenches with you (and on their own to pull you out).

If people get going the second the going gets tough, beware. Life isn't always going to be a good time, and you need and deserve people in your life who will put in the time and energy to help you fight through the not-so-happy-moments.

8. Your life is so much bigger than how many people like your selfies on Instagram.

Worry more about how many people are happy to see you, have you in their life, and enjoying the moments you're missing while on your phone.

9. Failing doesn't mean you're a failure.

If you want to fail, give up (or don't try at all).

10. You can spend months, even years, planning for something...

But nothing will change the fact that you have to take life one day at a time.

11. If he's not trying to be with you, he doesn't want to be with you.

It's that old "he's just not that into you" mentality that's right on point. Both men and women tend to put their energy and point their attention towards what is a priority for them. If the man or woman in your life constantly has to be lured back into it with messages and efforts from you, they're telling you something (and it's not that they care).

12. Never be afraid to flash your passion or acknowledge your ambition.

And don't you dare apologize for your success. Anyone who asks you to be less than you are doesn't deserve to be in your life. Period.

13. There's a very big difference between being physically attractive and being beautiful.

One is about looks, the other is about soul.

14. Trust is meant to be durable.

It will be broken many times in our lives, but it still deserves a place in them.

15. The idea that being in a relationship proves anything about you is one of the most destructive lies in society.

Like that you're lovable, are worth keeping and can succeed.

16. We only have so much room in our minds, homes, offices, hearts and lives.

You can't hold onto everything and expect to have room for something new or even find what you're looking for easily.

17. Good manners, humility and knowledge work as a triple-threat in the attraction of opportunities.

18. You don't have to be all things at all times to all people in order to be loved.

You just need to be you all day, every day.

19. Even if you have no idea where you're going, you'd better make sure you don't go backward.

It often happens that uncertainty gets a bad wrap. Many of us assume that what we don't know is bad and so we run back into what is familiar, even if that wasn't good. This happens with relationships, jobs, friendships and even habits that hold us back. It's worth taking some time to be uncomfortable and to explore to find (or create) something that is worthy of your energy.